Tatiana Sid

Jay Heinrichs’ book Thank You for Arguing is a very useful tool for beginner’s rhetoric. Offering strategies that range from Aristotle’s ancient techniques to those former President Bush used to win in the election, this tome contains a range of strategies that anyone could use to improve the daily debates he gets involved in. From domestic arguments over who used up all the toothpaste, neglected his chores, or just tends to spend too long in the bathroom, to debates that tend to arise when it comes time for the boss to pick a business plan at work, or even world-level blunders such as putting a volcano in the wrong state or messing up an app for the new iPhone, this book has strategies to come out on top, with a better reputation than before, but without any new enemies. This novel is oriented mostly for working adults, as the application of the strategies’ usage in the real world is most often shown for resolving disputes with (or between) young children, spouses, bosses or fixing mistakes in the professional environment. However, the techniques the book gives can be used by young adults - adolescents - as well, giving them tools to convince their peers, parents, and siblings calmly, logically, and without being overwhelmed by emotion. It demonstrates argumental dead ends that people often come to in disputes and advises the reader on avoiding them, as well as how to come out of one. The book demonstrates that arguing with blame and insults only leads to broken relationships and unresolved grudges, and offers alternative routes that win the argument and strengthen the relationship. Nonfiction tomes tend to be dry, factual, and a pain to read and comprehend, but Thank You for Arguing is welcome and refreshing exception from this rule. Mr. Heinrich uses humorous examples, which he often brings from popular shows, such as the Simpsons, appealing to readers that have seen the show itself, along with those that have not through brief, but sufficient context. Other examples used involve tried-and-true, millenia-old or century-old tactics used by Aristotle, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, and other well-known individuals. In addition, the author provides examples of strategies he has used himself and explains why or why not they did not work, giving the reader real life examples from current times. In summary, Thank You for Arguing is an excellent tome to use to take one’s first steps into the art of rhetoric. It can be of use to anyone, regardless of age, occupation, or situation, and the general concept of each strategy taught in the book can be understood by everyone who reads it.